Vehicles Checked Show Consumer Neglect - Is this You?

Results of vehicle check-up events during
Car Care Aware Fairs across the country in
April and October 2006 revealed that nearly
nine out of 10 vehicles need service or
parts, underscoring the huge untapped DIY
and DIFM sales opportunities for the
automotive aftermarket, the Car Care Council
reported today. The unsatisfactory condition
of vehicles also reinforces the continued
need for consumer education about the
benefits of regular vehicle care,
maintenance and repair.

An analysis of nearly 1,000 vehicle
inspection forms, submitted from event
coordinators in 16 states, show that 88
percent of the vehicles checked during
National Car Care Month in April and Fall
Car Care Month in October needed parts
replacement, service or fluids. The top
problem areas were motor oil, Windshield
wipers, air filters, belts and hoses and
lights.

“Vehicle check-up events are typically
the focus of Car Care Aware Fairs sponsored
by repair shops, parts stores, distributors
in cooperation with local vocational
schools, media, civic groups and others,”
said Rich White, executive director, Car
Care Council. “While these events are free
to consumers and serve as
community-relations builders, most
aftermarket businesses who participate
experience an increase in sales and
customers as a result.”

When checking lubricants and fluids, the
three top failure rates were: low, overfull
or dirty motor oil at 30 percent, inadequate
washer fluid levels at 28 percent, and low,
leaky or dirty coolant at 28 percent.
Transmission, brake, power steering and
clutch fluids were also checked and had
failure rates of 26 percent and below.

Approximately 15 percent of vehicles had
front windshield wiper failures and 9
percent needed service to rear wipers.

At least one belt was reported as
unsatisfactory in 22 percent of the vehicles
inspected and 14 percent required at least
one new hose. New air filters were needed in
25 percent of the vehicles, while 8 percent
needed new PVC filters. The “check engine”
light was on in 8 percent of the vehicles.

Battery cables, clamps and terminals
needed maintenance in 17 percent of the
vehicles inspected, while 9 percent of the
batteries were not properly held down.
Eleven percent had either a green, dark or
clear/yellow charge indicator light.

Improperly inflated tires were found on
20 percent of the cars and 11 percent had
worn tread and were in need of replacement.

The leading failure rates for vehicle
lights/vision were: license plate lights at
18 percent, brake lights at 10 percent and
side markers at 8 percent.

The Car Care Council is the source of
information for the “Be Car Care Aware”
consumer education campaign promoting the
benefits of regular vehicle care,
maintenance and repair to consumers. For
more information, visit
www.carcare.org.